THE SECOND KEY

If two married people really love each other,m then they will also have respect for each other, and respect is the second key to a happy marriage.  Respect is defined as "giving consideration to others, honoring  them."  God's Word counsels  all Christians, including husbands and wives:  "In showing honor to one another take the lead."  (Romans 12:10) The apostle Peter wrote:  "You husbands, continue dwelling in like manner with [your wives]  according to knowledge, assigning them honor as to a weaker vessel, the feminine one." (1 Peter 3:7) The wife is counseled to "have deep respect for her husband."  (Ephesians 5:33) If you want to honor someone,m you are kind to that person, respectful of that one's dignity and expressed views, and ready to fulfill any reasonable request made of you. 

Those who wish to enjoy a happy marriage show respect for their mates by "keeping an eye,  not in personal interest upon just [their] own matters, but also in personal interest upon those of [their mates]." (Philippians 2:4) They do not consider what is good only for themselves-which would be selfish.  Instead, they consider what is best also for their mates. Indeed, the give that the priority.

Respect will help marriage partners to acknowledge differences in viewpoint.  It is not reasonable to expect two people to have identical views on everything.  What may be important to a wife, and what a wife likes may not be what a husband likes.  But each  should respect the views of choices of the others, as long as these are within the boundaries of Jehovah's laws and principles.  (1 Peter 2:16; compare Philemon 14.)  Further, each should respect the dignity of the other by not making that one the object of demeaning comments or jokes, whether in public or in private.

Yes, love of God and of each other and mutual respect are two vital keys to a successful marriage.  How can they be applied in some of the more important areas of married life? 

Next time: CHRISTLIKE HEADSHIP

From the book: THE SECRET OF FAMILY HAPPINESS, 1996